[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30883-30884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12538]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0438; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-20];
Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-130; UT
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the description of RNAV route Q-130 by
changing the name of the MRRNY waypoint to ROCCY. The FAA is taking
this action following a pilot deviation incident wherein confusion
resulted from the two similarly sounding waypoint names in the Q-130
description. In addition, the FAA is making minor editorial changes to
the route description to standardize the format.
DATES: Effective Dates: 0901 UTC, July 26, 2012. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and
publication of conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
A recent pilot deviation incident occurred wherein a pilot confused
the MRRNY and similar-sounding MIRME waypoints, along RNAV route Q-130,
during radio communications with air traffic control. To eliminate
future misunderstandings, the FAA is changing the name ``MRRNY'' to
``ROCCY,'' This is a name change only as the geographic position of the
waypoint remains the same as currently published. In addition, the FAA
is making minor editorial changes to the Q-130 description that spells
out the names of navigation aids, and adds state names for each
waypoint or fix that forms the route. These changes standardize the
format of route descriptions and do not affect the alignment of Q-130.
Because this action changes a waypoint name for safety reasons to
avoid confusion in radio communications, notice and public procedures
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impractical and contrary to the public
interest.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by changing the name of the ``MRRNY'' waypoint in the
description of RNAV route Q-130 to ``ROCCY.'' Additionally, this action
makes minor editorial changes to the route description to standardize
the format. These changes are editorial only and do not affect the
existing alignment of Q-130.
The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule''
under Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant
preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so
minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority.
This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority
as it eliminates confusion on the part of pilots flying in the vicinity
of Q-130.
United States area navigation routes are published in paragraph
2006 of FAA Order 7400.9V, effective September 15, 2011, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route listed in this
document will be published subsequently in the Order.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This action is an editorial change to an
existing RNAV route description that not expected to cause any
potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental
assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854,
24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
[[Page 30884]]
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
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2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9V,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 9, 2011, and
effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States area navigation routes.
* * * * *
Q-130 Linden, CA to Panhandle, TX [Amended]
Linden, CA (LIN)
VORTAC (Lat. 38[deg]04'29'' N., long. 121[deg]00'14'' W.)
JSICA, NV
WP (Lat. 38[deg]31'14'' N., long. 117[deg]17'13'' W.)
REANA, NV
WP (Lat. 38[deg]24'00'' N., long. 114[deg]20'00'' W.)
ROCCY, UT
WP (Lat. 37[deg]49'42'' N., long. 111[deg]59'60'' W.)
Rattlesnake, NM (RSK)
VORTAC (Lat. 36[deg]44'54'' N., long. 108[deg]05'56'' W.)
DIXAN, NM
FIX (Lat. 36[deg]16'51'' N., long. 105[deg]57'20'' W.)
MIRME, NM
WP (Lat. 35[deg]47'01'' N., long. 103[deg]50'32'' W.)
Panhandle, TX (PNH)
VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]14'06'' N., long. 101[deg]41'56'' W.)
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2012.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations & ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-12538 Filed 5-23-12; 8:45 a.m.]
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